News From the Pastor:

One Sunday morning, about a month ago, as we were in Sunday School, someone came in and stole the jar of money which was being collected for Seminary in Thailand. It was a very frustrating day. I, as do, probably, most of you, suspect that this was done by one of the people who stop by on Sundays and other days looking for assistance. I talked with the police that day. The officer was very nice and took a report, but there was little else he could do or I could tell him.
When things like this happen I get very angry, and I lose sleep. I find myself demonizing the "ungrateful poor", saying to myself "I should have nothing to do with those people." Then, as frequently happens, last week, in Wednesday’s Bible Study I had to read James 2: 5 "…has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs to the kingdom which has been promised to those who love God?"
I could of course question whether this person, who stole the money, really loved God, but I can't begin to understand that individual’s situation or needs. I know the amount of money, which was stolen, was probably small in relationship to the individuals on going need.
Last week I was playing golf with a man who had retired from Bethlehem Steel, and he told me the bankruptcy and sale of Bethlehem would cost him about $1,500 a month. In a meeting this week at the Community Assistance Network in Dundalk they talked about the growing need in that area with former Bethlehem employees. None of us knows how close we might be to poverty, and hopefully all of us
understand the importance of God's love for all people, regardless of financial condition.
I will strive to make up for our loss by using some wedding money for the Thailand Seminary (Fortunately we are located across the street from the Courthouse.) What I can't make up though, is your mind. That is, I can't keep this, or your other encounters with the poor, from making you jaded or hardening your hearts toward the poor. A poem which helps me deal with this issue is "The Leaden-Eye" by Vachel Lindsey:
Let not young souls be smothered out before
They do quaint deeds and fully flaunt their pride.
It is the world's one crime its babes grow dull,
Its poor are ox-like limp and leaden-eyed.
Not that they starve, but starve so dreamlessly,
Not that they sow, but that they seldom reap,
Not that they serve, but have no gods to serve,
Not that they die, but that they die like sheep.
Our task as the Church is to open our hearts and our doors to all people. To look into the leaden-eyes of all and share the spark of the Divine. Telling them not only that God loves them… but also that God has need for them … and their work… their gifts… their service.
UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday Evening Programs as usual.
There will not be a program Wednesday April
16th.

April 6th
Daylight Savings time begins.
Set your clocks forward
Communion,
During the Worship Service – a program presented by the children and youth of the Church celebrating Easter.
6:00 p.m. DSI Youth Meeting.

April 9th
8:00 p.m. Board of Deacons meeting.

April 12th
Work day for Habitat for Humanity. Please meet at the Church at 8:30 a.m.

April 13th
Psalm Sunday
Coffee Hour immediately following Church Service.

April 14th
12 Noon – Annie Armstrong Circle meeting, at the home of Eleanor Bondurant, 1041 Kenilworth Dr. Please bring a sandwich. Everyone is welcome.– 410-823-1556.

6:30 p.m. Needles & News are celebrating Spring with an evening out at Rigatonis at 204 E. Joppa Rd. Please join us. Phone Lynn Gill on or before April 10th if you are able to attend.
410-628-2174.

April 17th
7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service

April 18th
Good Friday Service
The preachers will be using the categories used by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her book On Death and Dying.
The order for preaching on that day will be:
12:00-12:30 Fred Weimert on Fear
12:30-1:00 Avery Penn on Violence
1:00-1:30 Ann Williams on Denial
1:30-2:00 Jerry Todd on Guilt
2:00-2:30 Charles Cloughen on Despair
2:30-3:00 Adrien Dawson on Acceptance

April 20th Easter Sunday
Our tradition for about the last ten years has been to go for early worship to Mount Olive Baptist Church. This year we will not be doing this because Mount Olive has been having some conflict in the congregation. Please keep Rev. Penn and the members of Mount Olive in your Prayers.

April 27th
Teachers Appreciation Sunday

12 Noon Anne Judson Circle beginning at Edenwald’s Garden Court for lunch, followed by meeting. Visitors are welcome.

April 30- May 4
ABCOTS meeting in Hampton. Va.

Pick-up cakes for Our Daily Bread and return by Saturday, April 5.

MIGRANT WORKER KITS

April is the last month to collect items for the migrant workers. At the present time, we have completed 14 kits. April 30th is the cut-off date. This is our new list of most needed items:
Bath towel Wash cloth
Soap Shampoo
Comb Tooth paste
We are accepting money if you would prefer that we make the purchases. Thank you for all of your contributions.

CANTON MISSION CANNED GOODS
Please donate canned goods and place in the cartons in Church vestibule and at back door, through April 13th. Annie Armstrong Circle, Alta Schuster 410-252-2855